Mahalo Hawaii

 

With much research, respect and preparation, our family traveled to sacred Hawaii in January. It had been almost two years since we touched down in one of our favorite destinations. Last year we opted to skip Hawaii travel to travel to Costa Rica in February 2020. It was right before the pandemic shut down the world (and where we got sick, very likely with Covid). 

Traveling to Hawaii in January 2021 was a decision we grappled with for a bit. We did not want to seem like we were thumbing our noses in the face of this pandemic. I had traveled previously in the pandemic and felt like we could do travel fairly safely. That along with Hawaii's strict protocols for safety and the deep need for a mental health support we packed our bags and headed west to the sun, sea and sacredness that is Hawaii.

Like any traveling we do, I always listen to Spirit about where next. It is always like a calling from Mother Earth and the Big Island had been calling for several years. The girls have been asking for a long time to go and explore this island (side note: we have repeated gratitude discussions on how fortunate we are to travel). While they had been to the other islands, they had never been to the home of Pele and as for Don and I, well it'd been about twenty years since I last visited the home of Pele and  Don was about the same, having last traveled with his brother. 

The Big Island was warm, sunny and quiet after a rare rain storm that welcomed our plane in Kona. We were met with torrential rains and thick, humid air, in the dark night sky. It felt like the most gracious, auspicious welcoming I'd ever had on my dozen visits to Hawaii. I reminded the girls of the gift of water as spiritual cleansing and I shared that it felt like after months and months of stay at home Covid blues, all that heavy energy was being washed away by the spirit of Aloha. 

My self-preservationist nature led to stop for food and supplies after we landed, despite the late hour and delays at the airport. Even though we had Covid tested negative days prior to departure, the state of Hawaii re-tested us once we de-boarded the plan.  We did not mind the delays. We were thankful to be there. When we got to the grocery store, I don't think I ever hustled so fast to get supplies. We were tired and hungry. Once we made it to our condo, we feasted on frozen pizza at what would have been 1 am California time. One for rules and structure including a routine sleep schedule, I also understand the need for flexibility and to break free from all that structure at times. Life is about balance, after all. 

Our comfortable condo in Waikoloa afforded us an infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean with a tranquil bay, just a few minutes walk from our front door. Our first morning we were greeted by the sacred Honu (sea turtles), who we then saw almost everyday.  We also went to some great beaches just up the road for boogie boarding and sun. While there we explored some of the endless lava fields and discovered petroglyphs. We did one high risk adventure, going to a farmer's market but spent the rest of our time going on hikes in forests with no other humans around, swimming, riding bikes or just hanging back at the condo relaxing with books, video games and wonderful meals made from food sourced from local farmers. All of these things feed our hearts, minds, bodies and souls. 

The break from our Covid stay at home routines, in such a powerful and wonderous place is what stood out the most while on the Big Island. I did not know just how much we needed the break until we stopped and took in a deep breath of the salty, aloha air. Work and school from home as had both challenges and blessings. We are together in ways we would normally not be. But we are mostly isolated and the on-going restrictions, lack of connection with peers for the girls and distance learning has been taxing. For me personally, the work I do is heavy at times and I just needed the space to unwind in what feels like my earth home. We all were breathing more deeply, laughing more, overall happier to be away. I guess that is what the meaning of vacation is, isn't it. But in a pandemic, it had even all more more meaning and impact.

I love Hawaii. I love Hawaii deep down in my heart and my soul. I suspect the girls feel the same way but can not quite express it. Leaving was not easy and we already are planning our return. We left full of gratitude to be welcomed by Pele and the chance for the time for rest and rejuvenation in the sacred place that is Hawaii.

Mahola, Hawaii. Maholo.